Cowlitz struck early and late on Tuesday to hold off the Yakima Valley Pippins 12-7 at Yakima County Stadium.

The Black Bears were hot out of the gate, posting four runs in the first inning and keeping the Pippins scoreless through their first four frames.

After the teams took turns scoring in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, the Pippins inched within two, 9-7, with a run in the eighth. But Cowlitz scored three in the ninth to keep control of the game. Yakima Valley loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before a groundout ended the game.

Jace Phelan led the Pippins with a 3-for-4, one-RBI effort, and Tommy Eisenstat added a 3-for-5, two-RBI performance. Chris Clement and Spencer Shipman each had two hits apiece.

But the big blows came from Cowlitz’ Marques Titialii, who led off the game with a home run and added a two-run shot in the sixth. He finished 3-for-6. and three other Black Bears each collected two hits.

The two teams meet again at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday in Game 2 of the three-game series.